Sara Gore Recounts Depression Following Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Double Mastectomy

NBC host Sara Gore has spoken out about the profound depression she experienced after being diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing a double mastectomy earlier this year. Gore revealed her diagnosis publicly on air during "New York Live" in April.

In an interview with People published Friday, Gore, 50, described hitting a "low" point. "I was in so much pain, and I think I started having a little bit of a pity party, and I was stuck in my own rut," she told the outlet. The television host's mother and sister both have a history of breast cancer.

Recalling her March diagnosis, Gore said it felt like a sudden shock, despite her family history and regular six-month mammograms. "Even though I had been prepared for it, so to speak, I was not prepared for it at all. My heart kind of dropped."

She opted for a double mastectomy in late April, which she described as a "godsend." The surgery confirmed that the cancer had not spread, indicating it was caught early. "I’m so glad that they’re gone now," Gore stated.

However, the period leading up to the surgery was marked by significant anxiety. "No one knew yet, and I was doing the show every day. And let me tell you, it is so hard to pretend that you’re in a good space when you’ve got all this stuff going on. It was very emotional," she explained. Following the surgery, she experienced intense physical pain, including nerve pain and limited range of motion in her right arm.

Gore found support in her friends and family during this challenging time, emphasizing that "you can't do any of this stuff alone."

Following breast reconstruction surgery in September, Gore expressed gratitude and confirmed she is cancer-free. "I do believe that there is a gift in this," she said. "It’s just an emotional journey, and it makes you feel very vulnerable and very raw."

Her experience has motivated her to help others, particularly in light of her 9-year-old daughter, Fiona Rose, asking if she would also get breast cancer. "She said, ‘Does that mean I’m going to get breast cancer?’ And that just broke my heart. So that’s why I’m like, we can’t fail the girls," Gore stated. She highlighted the statistic that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, urging for continued awareness and information sharing.

In April, Gore had announced her temporary leave from "New York Live" and "Open House" to seek treatment, admitting at the time, "If I didn’t say that I was a little bit scared, I’d be lying." She announced in July via Instagram that she was cancer-free and expressed thanks for the supportive messages she received.